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Updated: August 7, 2024
"The Owl has a prisoner whom I know," said Tandakora to Langlade. "Aye, a sprightly lad," replied the partisan. "I took him before the winter came, and I've been holding him at our village on Lake Ontario." "It was he who, with the Onondaga, Tayoga, and the hunter, Willet, whom we call the Great Bear, carried the letters from Corlear at New York to Onontio at Quebec.
All New France had been ceded by the treaty of Paris in 1763, but the little garrison of forty men still held Fort Chartres. Ange, the commander, announced to Pontiac, friendly to the end, that all was over, that "Onontio, their great French father," could no longer help his red children, that he was beyond the sea and could not hear, and that he, Pontiac, must make peace with the English.
"Teganouan," he said slowly and firmly, looking into the Indian's eyes, "you heard the great council at the Long House of the Five Nations. You heard the decision of the chiefs and warriors, that they whom Onontio had sent to bring a message of peace should be set free. You have broken the pledge made by your council.
Onontio says to you that he will give you back your prisoners, and now he demands that you in return give back those whom you may have with you. This is his will; and if you fail him, you know how heavy is his hand. "Brothers, I see that you have prisoners here, white prisoners. These must be given up to us. I will take them with me when I return.
Thus was concluded the triple alliance, which to Canada meant no less than ruin. Then they invited the interpreter from Albany to address the council, which he did, advising them not to listen to the envoys from Canada. "Brethren, our council fire burns at Albany. We will not go to meet Onontio at Fort Frontenac.
"No, no, M'sieu. I have too many thoughts for that." "What interesting thoughts they must be." "They are, M'sieu. They are all about the Indians this morning. Tell me, M'sieu, they called you Onontio. What does it mean?" "They called me the son of Onontio, because of my uniform. Onontio, the Great Mountain, is their name for the Governor; and the Governor's soldiers are to them his sons."
"The heart of Onontio beats for the Hodenosaunee, and he has sent me to say so to the valiant League. I bring you a belt, a great belt of peace." Dubois handed him a large knapsack and he took from it a beautiful belt of pure white wampum, uncommon in size, a full five feet in length, five inches wide, and covered with many thousands of beads, woven in symbolic figures.
Again Ohquamehud paused, but it was only for a moment, and then uttered in a distinct tone the word, "Onontio." The sound caught the ears of Holden, who instantly turned, and beheld the threatening looks and attitude of the savage. He comprehended, at once, the hostile purpose of Ohquamehud, and the imminence of his own danger, but betrayed not the slightest fear. His cheek blanched not.
Then Contrecoeur turned to the Delawares, who were also present: "By these four strings of wampum I invite you, if you are true children of Onontio, to follow the example of your brethren;" and with some hesitation they also took up the hatchet.
They have seen the blood of his kindred on the hands of Onontio, and he will wash it off." "Indian, thou hast discovered I know not how that I once bore the name you have mentioned. It was given to me in the days of madness and folly by the western tribes. But, my hands are unstained by any blood, save what was shed in fair and open warfare." "Ha!
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